An incredible run that included two World Series Championships (and three extra playoff berths via Wild Card) for the youngest ever general manager in baseball at the time ended on a sour note with fried chicken, beer bellies, and mayhem last month before Theo Epstein decided to abandon ship and head for Chicago.
Not sure it will be any smoother sailing in the windy city, but Theo Epstein is always up for a challenge... except that one time he quit his general manager job for five days upon sneaking out of Fenway Park disguised as a gorilla. We all do things we're not proud of.
Epstein, now 37, officially resigned from his position as Red Sox general manager Friday night and became the president of baseball operations for the Cubs. Of course, fans on the North Side are especially giddy, considering they haven't won a World Series since back in 1908. The one man who seems equipped for the job of bringing that end of the city their first Championship in over a century made it possible for Boston after an 86-year drought before they captured another ring three years later in 2007.
One of the first orders of business for Epstein, besides acquiring free agents Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols, is to decide what to do with manager Mike Quade. Does he deserve another shot after leading the lovable losers to a 71-91 record in his first full season at the helm? He has one more year left on his contract, but Epstein's former skipper Terry Francona is also looking for work. Speaking of pirating other team's management, rumors are flying that he may be interested in nabbing San Diego Padres general manager Jed Hoyer for the vacant GM position, since they worked together in Boston. Either way, I'm sure Quade isn't sleeping well.
Epstein will reportedly receive a five-year deal worth roughly $18.5 million to run the Cubs’ front office, with the official announcement coming via news conference on Tuesday, the next off-day during the World Series. While the Cubbies introduce Theo, the Red Sox will be announcing his successor, who is rumored to be assistant GM Ben Cherington. First thing's first for Ben: find a replacement for Francona, who admittedly lost control of the players and felt personally responsible for their embarrassing September failure upon being let go by owner Jim Henry.
Regardless of baseball not being played that day, it's pretty ridiculous that once again the teams with the $127 and $161 million payrolls, respectively, feel they must hog the spotlight during the Fall Classic and simply cannot wait until October 31 when the season officially ends.
[Chicago Tribune]
2 comments:
He is never going to live that gorilla suit thing down.
Not if we can help it.
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